Divorce Trends Among Immigrant Populations: How Culture, Policy, and Integration Shape Marital Outcomes

TL;DR

Divorce rates among immigrant populations vary by host country, influenced by immigration policy, cultural norms, and gender roles. Immigrants from more traditional backgrounds often have lower divorce rates but experience increases with longer exposure to liberal societies. Mixed marriages and cultural distance increase the risk.

Key Takeaways

• Immigrant divorce rates are generally lower than native populations but rise with assimilation.

• Host country norms, integration policies, and gender equality play significant roles.

• Cultural distance and mixed marriages are associated with higher divorce risks.

• Women’s divorce rates are more affected by host country liberal norms.

• Supportive integration policies can help mitigate marital instability.

Introduction

Divorce is a complex social phenomenon that becomes even more layered within immigrant populations. As immigrants navigate new cultural landscapes, their marital stability is often shaped by a blend of personal, cultural, and systemic factors. This blog unpacks how divorce trends vary across different host countries and what influences these changes.

Key Patterns Across Host Countries

United States

Immigrants from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East generally exhibit lower divorce rates than U.S.-born whites. However, divorce rates increase over time, particularly with higher education, English proficiency, and residence in states with high native divorce rates.

Citations: Houseworth & Chiswick (2019); Ryabov (2021); Furtado et al. (2011)

Germany & Sweden

Immigrant-immigrant couples show lower divorce risks than natives, but immigrant-native (exogamous) marriages are more prone to divorce, particularly when cultural differences are significant.

Citations: Milewski & Kulu (2014); Olsson (2022)

Australia

Divorce trends differ widely by country of origin. For example, Italian immigrants show very low divorce rates while Chinese immigrants show higher rates. Age at migration and patterns of marriage also influence outcomes.

Citations: Khoo (2001)

Switzerland

Migrants from Western Europe tend to have more stable marriages. Conversely, those from marginalized groups (e.g., Turks, ex-Yugoslavs) experience higher divorce risks, particularly in restrictive policy environments.

Citations: Potarca & Bernardi (2018)

Role of Immigration Policy and Cultural Norms

Liberal host countries with high divorce acceptance and gender equality norms (e.g., Sweden, U.S.) often see immigrant divorce rates increase over time. In contrast, more conservative countries or those with restrictive immigration policies may experience more marital stability, although social exclusion can counteract this.

Citations: Wang & Schofer (2018); Milewski & Kulu (2014); Olsson (2022); Adda et al. (2020)

Gender and Cultural Distance

Gendered Effects

The host country’s divorce culture tends to impact immigrant women more strongly, especially those from cultures where divorce is stigmatized. As these women integrate and become more economically independent, their divorce rates can increase.

Citations: Furtado et al. (2011); Her et al. (2024)

Cultural Distance

Larger cultural gaps between spouses or between origin and host country amplify marital instability, particularly in mixed marriages where shared norms are lacking.

Citations: Milewski & Kulu (2014); Olsson (2022); Adda et al. (2020)

Conclusion

Divorce among immigrants is a multifaceted issue shaped by both cultural background and the host country’s policies and norms. While traditional values often lower divorce rates initially, integration into liberal societies—especially among women and in mixed marriages—can raise those rates. Culturally sensitive integration policies can help foster marital stability.

References

Adda, J., Pinotti, P., & Tura, G. (2020). There’s More to Marriage than Love: The Effect of Legal Status and Cultural Distance on Intermarriages and Separations. ERN: Other European Economics: Labor & Social Conditions (Topic). https://doi.org/10.1086/734093

Furtado, D., Marcén, M., & Sanz, A. (2011). Does Culture Affect Divorce Decisions? Evidence from European Immigrants in the US. Labor: Demographics & Economics of the Family eJournal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1929660

Her, M., Xiong, Z., & Yunizar, C. (2024). “One man, one life, one marriage”: A qualitative analysis of Hmong women’s divorce experiences. Family Process. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12985

Houseworth, C., & Chiswick, B. (2019). Divorce among European and Mexican Immigrants in the U.S. Review of Economics of the Household, 18, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11150-019-09447-0

Khoo, S. (2001). A DECOMPOSITION OF IMMIGRANT DIVORCE RATES IN. Australian Journal of Social Issues.

Milewski, N., & Kulu, H. (2014). Mixed Marriages in Germany: A High Risk of Divorce for Immigrant-Native Couples. European Journal of Population, 30, 89-113. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10680-013-9298-1

Olsson, I. (2022). Psychosocial Variables Influencing Divorce in Marriages Involving Swedish Immigrants and Native Swedes. International Journal of Psychological Studies. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v14n4p45

Potarca, G., & Bernardi, L. (2018). Mixed marriages in Switzerland: A test of the segmented assimilation hypothesis. Demographic Research, 38, 1457-1494. https://doi.org/10.4054/DEMRES.2018.38.48

Ryabov, I. (2021). Immigrant region of origin, divorce, and remarriage in the United States. The Social Science Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/03623319.2021.1992821

Wang, C., & Schofer, E. (2018). Coming Out of the Penumbras: World Culture and Cross-National Variation in Divorce Rates. Social Forces, 97, 675-703. https://doi.org/10.1093/SF/SOY070